Civic Education

The National Archives preserves the records of the U.S. Government and makes them available so that students, educators, and people of all ages can discover, use, and learn from this documentary heritage. We hold the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights, the records of Congress, court records, and millions of other documents that tell the nation’s story, document the actions of government officials, and confirm the rights guaranteed to individuals.

To encourage civic literacy and engagement, we provide teachers with programming, curricula, and exceptional field trip experiences at facilities all across the country. Our programs encourage young people to make a positive difference and improve the world they are inheriting.

Our standards-based, interactive programs for elementary, middle, and high school students feature historical documents, photographs, maps, posters, and other primary sources. Topics include the nation's founding documents – the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights – citizenship, rights, checks and balances, and civic engagement.

The Pare Lorentz Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library brings workshops, resources, lectures, and presentations directly into the classroom free of charge. Topics include the role of the President, policies and programs, and leadership.

Working in replica storage and research spaces, students, scouts, or other civic-minded individuals find and analyze primary sources and make connections to bigger ideas about our government and history.

Apps

The Congress Creates the Bill of Rights app for tablets situates the user in the proposals, debates, and revisions that shaped the Bill of Rights. Its menu-based organization presents a historic overview, a detailed study of the evolving language of each proposed amendment as it was shaped in the House and Senate, a close-up look at essential documents, and opportunities for participation and reflection designed for individual or collaborative exploration.

On the DocsTeach App for iPad, you can share primary source-based learning activities with your students to access on their iPads. Students can also browse by era, including Civics & Government activities across eras.

Lessons

Lesson Plans about Congress
These primary source-based materials were created to integrate Congress into history, government and civics classes.

The Advise the President Series
These ready-to-use tools provides an opportunity to bring historic Presidential decisions into the classroom. Using a deliberation process, students will learn about history by focusing on pivotal issues faced by past Presidents.

Fourth of July at the National Archives

The National Archives is the home of the original Declaration of Independence! July 4th events in Washington, DC, and at the Presidential Libraries include dramatic readings and hands-on activities that bring the history and ideas of the Declaration of Independence to life.

The Boeing Learning Center at the National Archives in Washington, DC

Drop in during your museum visit to explore replica documents, images, maps, posters, and more, and to participate in hands-on activities. Join us for family days that highlight civic topics, or for a family learning lab to make connections between historical documents and big ideas about our government and history.

Programs on Civic Education:

Citizen Engagement in America’s History

Watch a cross-generational and bipartisan discussion about how citizen movements have influenced – or failed to influence – policymakers. From Civil Rights marches to student activism in the social media age, citizen activists joined a panel with former members of Congress who discussed how in their careers on Capitol Hill citizens changed their thinking on specific topics. The conversation focuses on civic engagement, civic education, and how to petition the government.

Forum on National Civics Poll: How Competent a Citizen Are You?

From October 2014 through April 2015, Purdue University students led by former U.S. Ambassador Carolyn Curiel polled 1,100 American adults in the areas of civic knowledge, civic participation, and civic confidence. Paula Dwyer, an editor at Bloomberg View, moderates a discussion with some of these students and presents the findings

A Conversation with Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and David Souter at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and David Souter explained the importance of civic education to a democratic society with Linda Greenhouse, a Pulitzer-Prize winning New York Times reporter and a Senior Fellow at Yale Law School.

More Programs and Video Resources from the National Archives' YouTube Channels: